Baby Nursing Carrier with Removable Liner

ABSTRACT

The hands free baby carrier provides a carriage assembly and a one piece back support harness assembly. The carriage assembly comprises a frontal piece, torso support and an adjustable carriage pocket. The carrier further comprises frontal straps, shoulder straps and strap adjusters for enabling the carrier to be adjusted relative to the user.

This application entitled “Baby Nursing Carrier with Removable Liner” isa continuation in-part of application Ser. No. 12/655,607, filed withthe United States Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 12, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a baby carrier. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a baby carrier configuredto enable a user to breast feed a baby hands free.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baby carriers are generally known in the art. Generally, during thebreastfeeding process, babies prefer to be held close to his/her mother.In such a position, a bonding experience is shared between the motherand the infant. Typically, the breastfeeding process requires that themother hold the infant securely in a generally lateral nursing position,close to the mother's breast. As such, this type of positioninggenerally requires both of the mother's hands to support the infant.Unfortunately, if the mother is nursing, and standing, or moving around,holding the infant in the proper lateral nursing position can be tiringto the mother because most of the infant's weight is forced on themother's arms and lower back.

Since both of the mother's hands are being utilized to hold and supportthe breastfeeding infant, in the proper lateral position, it isdifficult, if not impossible, for a nursing mother to accomplishanything else, because her hands are occupied supporting the infant. Thepresent invention provides a hands free baby carrier which supports thebaby in a proper lateral position, while enabling the mother to have herhands and arms free to perform other tasks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hands free baby carrier provides a carriage assembly and a one pieceback support harness assembly. The carriage assembly comprises a frontalpiece, torso support and an adjustable carriage pocket. The carrierfurther comprises frontal straps, shoulder straps and strap adjustersfor enabling the carrier to be adjusted relative to the user.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the carrier furthercomprises a webbing strap extending through openings in the back supportharness and torso support respectively, for enabling the carrier to beremovably fastened to the user's mid-section.

In one embodiment, the carrier comprises netting formed on the outeredges of the carriage pocket, torso support and frontal piece, forenabling air to pass into and out of the pocket to the infant.

In one embodiment, the carrier comprises one or more support stripsformed on the outer portion of the frontal piece to provide additionalsupport to the carriage assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings.However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods andinstrumentalities disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate several views of the hands free nursing carrierwherein:

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the hands free nursing baby carrier adjustedin an upward position, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an open view of the hands free nursing baby carrier exposingthe torso support waist band and the interior of the carrier;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the hands free nursing baby carrier; and,

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the carrier illustrating back support andshoulder strap harness with webbing fed through the bottom of theharness.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described ingreater detail with reference to the figures. Referring now to thefigures, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4 the hands-free nursing carrier 100,in accordance with the present invention.

The carrier 100 has a novel, generally lateral configuration, adjustableto a user's body and capable of supporting an infant in the user's chestregion for nursing. The carrier 100 is a unitary piece andnon-detachable body. It is contemplated that the carrier 100 comprisessoft 68% cotton/32% polyester blended, double face quilted fabric forcomfort, durability, and machine washing. Notably, it is contemplatedthat the carrier 100 can be constructed with other materials conducivefor carrying a baby, and providing support and comfort, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The carrier 100 generally comprises a carriage assembly 200 as shown inFIGS. 1-3, and a one piece back support harness assembly 300, as furthershown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 1 generally illustrates a frontal perspective view of the handsfree nursing baby carrier 100, in accordance with the present invention.The carriage assembly 200 generally comprises a torso support 210, oneor more support straps 220, one or more strap adjuster assemblies 230, afrontal piece 240, a carriage pocket 250 and netting 260.

The carriage assembly 200 is configured for supporting an infant in thecarriage pocket 250, proximate to the user's chest area, so as toprovide support for the infant and enable the infant to feed from theuser's breast. The carriage pocket 250 and assembly 10 is configured forsupporting an infant in a generally lateral, non-cradling position. Thecarriage pocket is unitary piece formed with the carriage assembly 200.The carriage pocket 250 is fully connected to the assembly such that theinfant is held laterally against the torso of the user. The carriagepocket 250 further comprises a detachable, liner 275 removably connectedto the inner portion of the pocket 250. The liner can be connected usingVelcro or other means generally known in field of art.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the torso support 210 is configured forengagement with the torso and/or middle-section of the user. The torsosupport 210 extends along the interior of the carrier 100 and adjustablyfits around the torso region of the user's body.

FIG. 2 shows the carrier 100 in a generally open position. As shown, thetorso support 210 is folded in a generally down position, proximate tothe mother's breast line and positioned generally above the waist regionand waist band (not shown). In the open position, the carriage pocket250 is shown. The carriage pocket 250 is configured for receiving aninfant therein and holding the infant proximate to the user's breastregion. The positioning of the carriage pocket 250 can be adjusted usingthe support straps 220 and strap adjusters 230, which will be furtherdiscussed later in this application. In the present embodiment the onepiece carriage pocket 250 and back harness assembly are attached bythree adjustable straps.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hands free nursing baby carrier 100 has agenerally trapezoidal shaped frontal piece 240. The frontal piece 240 isconfigured with a double face quilted fabric which extends along theouter portion of the carrier 100 and carriage assembly 200.

As shown in FIG. 2, the torso support 210 and frontal piece 240 areconnected, forming the carriage support region or pocket 250, which isconfigured for receiving and supporting a small infant child therein. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the netting 260 is provided on the lower leftportion 270 and right portion (not shown) of the carrier 100, andconnecting the outer edge portions of the torso support 210 and frontalpiece 240. The netting 260 has a generally mesh formation.

In accordance with the present embodiment, netting 260 is comprised oftwo 7 by 5 inch pieces of dark colored camouflage netting pieces. Thepieces are placed on top of one another and sewn onto the bottom leftend of the hands free nursing baby carrier 100 connecting the carriageassembly 200 and back support harness assembly 300. The netting 260enables easy air flow into the carriage pocket 250 enabling the baby tobreathe and nurse from the mother/user, while also maintaining optimumprivacy for mother.

As previously mentioned, the carriage assembly 200 further comprises oneor more support straps 220 and strap adjusters 230, which enableadjustment of the carriage assembly 200 and carrier 100, relative to theuser's body. The strap adjusters 230 engage shoulder straps 360 from theone piece back support harness assembly 300, which will be discussedlater in this application. Adjustable shoulder straps adjust thecarriage assembly 200, positioning assembly 200, closer to and furtheraway from mother's body or breasts.

The support straps 220 are comprised of a nylon webbing, however, it iscontemplated that the straps 220 can comprise of another materialwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the straps 220 a, 220 b are connected or sewn into thetop portion of the frontal piece 240 of the carriage assembly 200 andengage respective strap adjusters 230 a, and 230 b. In accordance withthe present embodiment, the straps 220 have a 1 by 2½ inch nylon webbingconfiguration and are secured to strap adjusters 230 on each shoulderstrap 220. The 1 inch heavy plastic strap adjusters 230 are then securedto the 1 by 15½ inch nylon webbing straps 310.

By pulling on the end portions of the straps 220, the straps can to bemoved in a generally downward position. Accordingly, when the straps 220are adjusted downwardly by the user, the height of the hands freenursing baby carrier 100 and carriage pocket 250 is raised relative tothe users body and thereby raising the infant in a generally upwardlydirection relative to the user. The carriage pocket 250 providesopenings 255 at each end of the pocket, for baby growth.

The frontal piece 240 of the carrier 100 further comprises generallycurved double face quilted fabric support strips 280 a and 280 b asshown. The strips 280 a and 280 b extend and provide support to theinfant's head and hips while supported in the carriage pocket 250 of thecarrier 100.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side view of the hands freenursing baby carrier 100, in accordance with the present invention. Theback support harness assembly 300 and carriage assembly 200 areconnected by a webbing strap 320. The webbing strap 320 is fed throughopenings 280 formed in the carriage assembly 200 waist band (not seen)and openings 380 a and 380 b formed in the generally lower portion ofthe one piece back support harness assembly 300. The unique lateraldesign is comprised of a 2 by 22 inch double face quilted fabric waistband with a 2 by 50 inch nylon webbing strap fed through the waist bandof the torso support 210 and worn immediately under the mother's breastline as further shown in FIG. 2 while the upper empty portion of thetorso support acts as additional support and by folding down forward ontop of the lower band containing the nylon webbing.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a rear view of the hands freenursing baby carrier 100, in accordance with the present invention. Asshown in the figure, the hands free nursing baby carrier 100 comprises aone piece back support harness assembly 300 having a back support 340and one or more shoulder harnesses 350. In accordance with the presentinvention, the carrier 100 comprises dual shoulder harnesses 350 a and350 b which extend over the shoulder region of the user for engagementwith the frontal piece 240. The shoulder harnesses 350 a and 350 bfurther comprise straps 360 a and 360 b, which are sewn into therespective harness fabric. The back support 340 and shoulder harnesses350 measure a total of 8¼ by 20 inches from shoulder harnesses 350 tothe bottom of the back support 340.

As shown in FIG. 3, the webbing strap 320 is connected by a buckle,which enables the carrier 100, carriage assembly 200 and back supportharness 300 to be removably affixed to the body of the user. In thepresent invention, carriage assembly 200 and harness assembly 300 arefastened together using a 2 inch heavy plastic buckle 390 to secure thecarrier 100 around the user's (mother's) body.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shoulder straps 360 a and 360 b and straps 220 aand 220 b cooperatively engage the respective adjusters 230 a and 230b,enabling the carrier 100 and carriage assembly 200 to be adjusted onthe body by pulling down the straps 220 a, 220 b.

The carrier 100 further comprises a privacy scarf. Attached privacyscarf for nursing, doubles as weather guard for wind and sun in uprightsitting positions.

In use, the user fits the carrier 100 to her by first placing her headbetween the carriage assembly 200 and the back support harness assembly300. Secondly, the user buckles the webbing strap 320 with buckle 390proximately underneath the breast line of the user, thereby connectingthe back support harness assembly 300 and the torso support 210 to themother's/user's mid-section. Next, the user opens the carriage pocket250 and places baby inside with head facing the user's breast on thedesired breast to nurse the baby within. The baby is attached to themother's/user's breast for nursing. The user then can adjust carrier byadjusting the height of the carriage assembly 200 relative to themother's/user's body to obtain proper nursing position, a snug fit, andoptimum privacy by pulling down on the support straps 220.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose ofexplanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the presentmethod and product disclosed herein. While the invention has beendescribed with reference to various embodiments, it is understood thatthe words which have been used herein are words of description andillustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although theinvention has been described herein with reference to particular means,materials, and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention expands toall functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as arewithin the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art,having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affectnumerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrier connectable to a user for holding aninfant comprising: 1) A carriage assembly and a back support harnessassembly wherein the carriage assembly comprises a frontal piece, torsosupport and an adjustable carriage pocket wherein the carriage pocket isconfigured for holding a baby in a generally lateral position formedagainst the user's chest region. 2) The carrier of claim 1, furthercomprising frontal straps, shoulder straps and strap adjusters forenabling the carrier to be adjusted relative to the user. 3) The carrierof claim 2 further comprising one or more support strips formed on theouter portion of the frontal piece to provided additional support to thecarriage assembly. 4) The carrier of claim 1 wherein the carriage pockethas a removable liner formed therein protecting the inner portion of thepocket.